Jump to content

kgambit

Members
  • Posts

    218
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    2

Posts posted by kgambit

  1.  

    what a shocking misinterpretation.  nigeria and ethiopia gots relative large populations, so one would expect them to actual represent better than they has done.  and as for poor...

    HA!

     

    "Less than $15K annually is what about 50% of T&F (Track and Field) athletes who rank in the top 10 in the U.S. This is from all sources: sponsorships, grants, prize money, etc.). Anyone below top 10 ranking in the USA likely has little to no income or funding from their sporting activity."

     

    am actual always surprised by how well the US represents at the olympics given just how little the US supports its athletes.  it is the sacrifice o' parents, spouses and children that makes it possible for most olympians to forgo a real job and train for olympics.  sure, phelps and a handful o' others got lucrative (VERY lucrative) advert and sponsorship contracts, but that just ain't the case for 90% o' our athletes.  US motto should be: tinstaafl. US ain't a socialist nation that grooms and supports its athletes.  families and communities is responsible for recognizing and supporting our athletes.  local church bake sales has done more to send American athletes to the Olympics than has our government.  

     

    weep for those poor nigerians and ethiopians if you wish, but the typical american olympian won't be able to squeeze out many tears.

     

    HA! Good Fun!

     

    It's not about total population or how much the elite can earn. It begins with how many average people have access to sport infrastructure, trainers, good diets, school/college sports programs, local competition, etc.

     

    Sure some American athletes can be poor by American standards, but it's still incomparable to those African countries.

     

     

    Please.   The number of foreign athletes and eventual Olympic medalists that attend US colleges and universities on scholarships is far larger than you think.  

     

    http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303830204577448620436755502        (Unfortunate title for this article)

     

    http://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/article/2016-07-28/2016-rio-olympics-ncaa-olympic-student-athletes-school

     

    There are 1,018 incoming, current and former NCAA student-athletes set to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, representing 107 countries and 223 NCAA member institutions across all three divisions.

     

  2.  

     

     

     

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demagogue

     

    I sorry he's wearing the Gadsen flag. Easily one of the coolest symbols in US history.

     

    oddly enough, the gadsden flag is a knock-off o' an earlier minuteman flag... am drawing a blank on the name.  'course we only know the history of the gadsden flag 'cause o' the eeoc kerfuffle.

     

    HA! Good Fun!

     

     

    Are you referring to this one? The First Navy Jack?

     

     

     

    I actually have it up on my wall.

     

    no.  as we said, it were a minuteman flag. however, is possible we got it backwards as to which came first. am knowing that benjamin franklin is the guy who popularized the notion o' the snake as emblematic o' the American spirit/identity with the "snake divided" image and the "join or die" standard that followed. s'posed spawned numerous snake flags thereafter.  gadsden flag does have kewlness in its favor.  

     

    *shrug*

     

    our knowledge o' flags is decidedly post texas v. johnson

     

    HA! Good Fun!

     

    ps apologize for removing images, but am doing our part to keep clutter reduced.  

     

     

    this is probably the flag Gromnir is referring to:  The Culpeper minutemen flag

     

    Regular_Culpeper.jpg

     

    That flag was designed in 1775 - same year as the Gadsen flag, so it's problematic as to which came first ......  no matter, they are both cool ......

  3.  

     

     

    Door kickers is great. I still hate that embassy mission though.

    Yeah, that one is nasty - with two separate hostages or groups under the gun and one with a timer. I've failed at that one at least a dozen times already but I'm going to give it another go. I think I have it figured out - FINALLY.

    I had to wait until I got some suppressed weapons and did it with pointmen. Wish I could just do it Russian style and storm the place and who lives lives :p

     

     

    I just completed it with 2 pointmen w/ M1911s and 2 stealth w/ MP7s (suppressed) and a crap ton of flash bangs.   Got 3 stars in under 1:30 (kind of slow I think).  Just a tough mission (at least for me).   I'm NOT going to try to improve on the time.  :biggrin:     I'm taking my three stars and calling it a day.  

     

     ​

  4.  

    Door kickers is great. I still hate that embassy mission though.

     

    Yeah, that one is nasty - with two separate hostages or groups under the gun and one with a timer.   I've failed at that one at least a dozen times already but I'm going to give it another go.  I think I have it figured out - FINALLY.   

  5. Ordered some DVDs; and then paid for my wife's latest furniture purchase at the Gaffney SC Super outlet mall.  (Seems she left her credit cards at home) 

     

    Now I'm on my third glass of wine watching the Vikings go postal in Mercia. 

  6.  

     

    I kinda gave up trying to give people stuff on this forum :)

     

    I mean, when the games that aren't immediately taken are just the ones that nobody around here has ever heard of, how can you blame us? The ones people have heard of (...and have heard of them for not being terrible) usually get taken in like less than 24 hours...I don't want to take a game I don't think I'm ever gonna at least try, so I don't. I'm sure others feel the same. :)

     

     

    Dunno, I would have thought the Star Wars games, the Sega pack and Tropico 5 at least would attract someone and fit the bill for being heard of, at very least. Some might even say they're good games. I suspect the problem there is that everyone who wants them already has them, or won't take them due to thinking gabe is the devil and steam his little hell on earth, or runs out of impetus before reaching the bottom of the list.

     

    If you want a suggestion for lesser known but good games I'd suggest Quadriga (roman charioteering simulator, here's a very good write up by Tim Stone, the one genuinely great bit of RPS who liked it so much he reviewed it twice) or Ultimate General Gettysburg for a sort of Total War approach to, well, Gettysburg. It's a little rough around the edges still but it's certainly worth free no money down.

     

     

    I definitely recommend Ultimate General Gettysburg.  Playing as the Confederacy is really tough.  You're outnumbered, outgunned and the Union has a far better position.  

  7.  

     

     

     

    I just saw some news about Democrats convention. Where there really an ILLEGAL immigrant on the stage?

    Wow, just wow. Talking about disregard for law. What's next? Criminals? Gangsters?

    Where were the immigration police? 

    Are Democrats really think they are above the law?

     

    Immigration police?

     

    So, just a reminder, being in the US without proper documentation is not a criminal offense.  It is a civil offense.  

     

     

    BEING in the US without proper documentation is a civil offense, true.   ENTERING the US illegally is both criminal AND civil.  

      

    See Title 8, Section 1325 of the U.S. Code (U.S.C.), or Section 275 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.) for the exact statutory language

     

    http://www.uscis.gov/laws/immigration-and-nationality-act

     

     

    Yes, but not everyone enters illegally.  

     

     

    I have understood that majority of illegals come in USA legally, as tourists, students or workers, but don't leave after their residence visa ends. Which is why so called experts don't think that fences or walls are effective way to solve illegal immigration issue.

     

    EDIT: Although wikipedia's infallible article tells that about 6-7 million of US's illegal immigrants have illegally entered the country and about 5.5 million of illegal immigrants have overstayed their visa.

     

     

    Here's the breakdown I've read:  ~40% enter legally and overstay visas;  ~60% enter illegally 

  8.  

     

     

    I just saw some news about Democrats convention. Where there really an ILLEGAL immigrant on the stage?

    Wow, just wow. Talking about disregard for law. What's next? Criminals? Gangsters?

    Where were the immigration police? 

    Are Democrats really think they are above the law?

     

    Immigration police?

     

    So, just a reminder, being in the US without proper documentation is not a criminal offense.  It is a civil offense.  

     

     

    BEING in the US without proper documentation is a civil offense, true.   ENTERING the US illegally is both criminal AND civil.  

      

    See Title 8, Section 1325 of the U.S. Code (U.S.C.), or Section 275 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.) for the exact statutory language

     

    http://www.uscis.gov/laws/immigration-and-nationality-act

     

     

    Yes, but not everyone enters illegally.  

     

     

    And I never claimed that everyone did.  :biggrin:

  9.  

    I just saw some news about Democrats convention. Where there really an ILLEGAL immigrant on the stage?

    Wow, just wow. Talking about disregard for law. What's next? Criminals? Gangsters?

    Where were the immigration police? 

    Are Democrats really think they are above the law?

     

    Immigration police?

     

    So, just a reminder, being in the US without proper documentation is not a criminal offense.  It is a civil offense.  

     

     

    BEING in the US without proper documentation is a civil offense, true.   ENTERING the US illegally is both criminal AND civil.  

      

    See Title 8, Section 1325 of the U.S. Code (U.S.C.), or Section 275 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.) for the exact statutory language

     

    http://www.uscis.gov/laws/immigration-and-nationality-act

  10.  

    Thats not really the point, its unprecedented to see this degree of people refusing to support the final Republican candidate (

     

     

     

    Except that is not what is happening among Republicans.  Trump is garnering support from 85% of Republicans according to 538.    So there might be a very vocal minority of Republicans in the #NeverTrump camp but it IS a minority Bruce.    

     

    http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/gop-voters-are-rallying-behind-trump-as-if-he-were-any-other-candidate/

     

    That solid base in his party is giving Trump a foundation that will at the very least keep the election gap to single digits.  Clinton is having her own problems getting Independents (ex-Sanderites) on board, which gives Trump a chance to win. 

  11.  

     

     

    Not sure what a blog about painted 25mm miniatures entitled More Medieval Muslims and Halflings. etc. has to do with Turkish warships disappearing but I'm sure Oby sees some direct connection.   

     

    22Feb201601.jpg

     

    you actual read oby posts? he could secretly slip in the location o' el dorado and we would never know. 

     

    ...

     

    what else do you do for entertainment? french kiss light sockets? date strippers with daddy issues? watch supernatural

     

    HA! Good Fun!

     

     

    Somebody has to keep him honest on occasion  

     

    date strippers with daddy issues?  No that would be Bruce. 

    • Like 1
  12.  

     

     

     

    Vast majority of Americans are descendants of illegal immigrants, I wonder how many of Americans could date their family tree back to the 13 colonies and declaration if independence era?

     

     

     

    what?

     

     

    the USA was created on the independence day through proclamation of the rights written in the constitution and separation from the British crown. By that the real Americans would be the ones who can trace back their family tree back to that date. There was not really much of "immigration office" back then and for a long period of time. There was no "legal" process from immigrants coming from across the pond for a long period of time, hence, technically all that came during that period were illegal immigrants, which later received citizenship rights from the US government (or in some instances that would pop up during the local census), but there was no border screening in the modern sense.

     

     

    That is untrue.

     

    The Articles of Confederation from 1781 put the responsibility for immigration firmly in the individual states hands.  The Articles were subsequently replaced by the Constitution in 1788.

     

    The first federal Alien Naturalization Act was signed on March 26, 1790.  It was subsequently revised in 1795 and multiple times thereafter.  The Act and its subsequent revisions set guidelines for residency and established a clear path to becoming a US citizen.  There most certainly was a legal process for attaining citizenship as early as 1781 as well as restrictions on immigration.   

     

    http://immigration.procon.org/sourcefiles/1790AlienNaturalizationAct.pdf

     

    The Federal government took official charge of the immigration process and establish an official immigration department with the passage of the Immigration Act of 1891.

     

    Fun fact 1:  Colonial immigration controls were actually in existence as early as 1637 at the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

     

    Fun fact 2:  According to multiple estimates, ~ 10 per cent of current US Citizens can trace their roots back to the original 102 Mayflower pilgrims from 1620.    Makes you wonder how many current US citizens can trace their roots back to the 2.5 million colonists of 1776?

     

    Fun fact 3:  Total US immigration post 1891 amounted to ~ 42 million.

    • Like 1
  13.  

    Everybody is freaking out about Ginsburg's comments, and the chance that we will get another one of her on the SC.  But she is 83 years old, so I'd try to keep that in mind.  The odds are more likely we'll get two moderates to replace Scalia and Ginsburg in the long run, because even with a liberal President, you've got a conservative congress.

    Congress as a whole has nothing to do with it, it's the Senate that confirms nominees. And if Hilzilla wins, Dems are very likely to take the Senate. In fact that's pretty likely regardless. Not to mention it's been a very long time since a Dem president has appointed anyone but an out and out liberal to SC.

     

     

    http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/07/13/ahead-of-gop-convention-cleveland-officials-affirm-protesters-may-carry-guns/

    Ahead of GOP Convention, Cleveland Officials Affirm Protesters May Carry Guns 

    But water guns, toy guns, knives, aerosol cans, rope, tennis balls are barred

    I believe you're required to have a license to carry a gun in Ohio.

     

     

    Ohio is a traditional open carry state.  I think a license is only required for concealed carry.    

  14.  

     

    Yep. It was a conveniently located refueling point for C130s & C141s flying between Australia and Saudi Arabia. Which is why we were there. We used to joke it was like Gilligan's Island only the skipper, Gilligan and the Professor were British and there were no Gingers or Mary Anns.

     

    Wasn't it used as a staging point for BUFFs during the Gulf War?

     

    There was a lot of ops after the offensive began. Nothing was staged there it was just used for refueling and reloading from what I remember. I don't remember B-52s staying there. But we were not allowed to leave the south side. I remember someone telling me they would fly from Ramstein to Diego and do a drop on the way and refuel and reload for another op en route back to Ramstien. There were a lot of Vulcan B1s from the Aussie AF in an out of there. And lots, and lots, and lots of C130's, C141's and the odd C5.

     

     

    Ah that's probably what it was.  I know the first flights (requiring multiple refueling) were launched from Barksdale AFB which is an incredibly long haul.   Thanks.  :)

  15. Yep. It was a conveniently located refueling point for C130s & C141s flying between Australia and Saudi Arabia. Which is why we were there. We used to joke it was like Gilligan's Island only the skipper, Gilligan and the Professor were British and there were no Gingers or Mary Anns.

     

    Wasn't it used as a staging point for BUFFs during the Gulf War?

  16.  

     

     

    Who are you guys voting for? Idiot or Criminal?

    Thats not a very flattering way to represent either candidates?

     

    Flattering? No. Accurate? Oh yeah.

     

    But on a serious note, a person doesn't have to like either candidate but cant we respect the institution of the election? Its the principle

     

    An election like this in the USA  is unique, it is  too important to dismiss all the various people who support either candidate by name calling 

     

     

    No it's sad that these two knuckleheads are the best we could come up with for a potential president.   

  17. I hated the bugs, the food, the humidity (I looked it up when I was there and I'm pretty sure my phone said it was Jell-O outside), and most of the people I met. Probably the least friendly state I've been too

     

    That pretty well sums it up.  :biggrin:   It's just a downscale version of Louisiana.    :lol:

    • Like 1
  18. Guys in the USA,  here is an interesting question

     

    How many states have you traveled to in your lives and which were your  favorite apart from where you live?

     

    I've got 41.  I've been to all but N. and S Dakota, Minnesota, Conn, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Delaware and West Virginia. 

     

    One favorite?  No way I could pick just one but Washington, North Carolina, and New Mexico would be at the top of the list

     

    Least favorite? Mississippi

     

    Edit: can't count

    • Like 3
  19.  

     

     

     

     

    So what issues with his foreign policy decisions do you have?

     

     

     

    Haven't we played this game before?  :facepalm:

     

    Lets recap, list the issues and we can discuss them. I stand by mine and can produce links  :geek:

     

     

    No because we've been done this road before multiple times.  It's like riding a merry-go-around .....

     

    And you seriously don't remember this?  And I thought you had a photographic memory ........

     

    http://forums.obsidian.net/topic/79124-road-to-the-white-house-2016/page-9?do=findComment&comment=1701567

     

    And once again, Obama was not responsible for the troop withdrawal from Iraq.  That was dictated by the existing SOFA agreement that expired in 2011 and put in place by George Bush.  Without a negotiated extension, the troop withdrawal was going to happen anyway.  Giving him credit for something that was going to happen if he did nothing seems a huge stretch; especially in light of the fact he actually attempted to negotiate a NEW SOFA which would have kept troops in place.*

     

     

    In fairness, I'll give him credit for the massive effort to stop the further spread of the Ebola outbreak, normalizing relations with Cuba and focusing more on relations in SE Asia.  Beyond that, I can't think of many positives from his foreign policy. 

     

    *Zoraptor would arguably point out that the Iraqi parliament wanted the troops gone so a SOFA extension was highly unlikely.  While that's certainly got a lot of merit, it is immaterial.  It doesn't matter whether it was the Iraqis or USA that were being intractable during negotiations.  The point is that when they failed, the existing troop withdrawal deadline took effect

     

    Yes but I only remember things that are true or relevant .....imagine if I remembered all the nonsense I heard  ;)

     

    Sure, okay the withdrawal troops was sort of discussed before Obama but was it ....read this

     

    http://thinkprogress.org/security/2010/02/14/82082/despite-opposing-withdrawal-from-iraq-cheney-takes-credit-for-withdrawal-success/

     

     

    Don't be snarky young grasshopper.  It's not my fault that you have difficult distinguishing fact from fantasy.  

     

    It wasn't sort of discussed before Obama - the timeline was agreed to before Obama took office,  It specified that combat troops would be withdrawn from Iraqi cities by June 30, 2009, and all U.S. combat forces will be completely out of Iraq by December 31, 2011. 

     

    Check the timeline:  On June 30, 2009 all US Combat troops withdrew from Iraqi urban areas - exactly as dictated by the SOFA.  By the end of 2011, with the exception of ~700 US Trainers, (mostly civilian) all US military personnel were gone. 

     

    For heavens sake, Obama tried to shift the narrative that the withdrawal of US troops led to the rise of ISIS in Iraq by saying it was the Iraqi people who were responsible for the troop withdrawal (referring to their refusal to grant US soldiers immunity from prosecution by Iraqi courts).  

     

    If you think my description of the events and timeline is inaccurate then provide a link that shows exactly how it is in error.  Surely you should be able to do so since you stand by your claims and can produce links to back them up.   Or you can continue your delusions about what transpired because it fits your Obama narrative. 

     

    Edit:  I won't be  holding my breath waiting for your proof. 

×
×
  • Create New...